New York Mayor helps save mothers' lives in Tanzania

A programme to reduce the number of women who die during childbirth in Tanzania has met with success.

Bloomberg Philanthropies is funding the programme to train health workers in Tanzania, particularly in rural areas.

At a UN press conference on Tuesday Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete thanked Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York for his support.

President Kikwete, joined by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Mayor Bloomberg and Dr. Helen Agerup, chair of H&B Agerup Foundation said that more than 100 assistant medical officers and midwives have been trained to manage obstetric emergencies in his country.

"There has been a two-third increase in the number of women who are giving birth in upgraded health centres and in several places we are witnessing decline in maternal mortality. In Uranga district, for example, the decline has been 32 per cent in just two years due to support from the Bloomberg Philanthropies. I therefore welcome and thank the Mayor for his support but also thank you for your commitment to invest another $8 million for this purpose, to contribute more to this cause."